60,000+
patents
Innovating for a safer, more connected world
Every year, RTX ranks among the world’s top patent-generating companies. The creation of intellectual property is the foundation of our innovation pipeline – how we develop breakthrough technologies to define the future of aerospace and defense.
Across the globe, our 60,000 engineers are pushing the bounds of what’s possible from advanced materials, sensing and propulsion to artificial intelligence, autonomy and electrification. Their work is part of a continuum that spans a century.
Our innovators revolutionized radars and helped the Allies win the Second World War. They built the technology that guided Apollo 11 astronauts to the moon and defend cities from ballistic missiles. They designed the world’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft engine – and its most advanced fighter jet engine. This combined heritage gives RTX a legacy of innovations that define eras.
Key facts
1st
in aerospace and defense for 2023 U.S. patents granted
100+
year history of patent innovation
60,000
engineers
Featured RTX research patents
“To promote the progress of science and useful arts.”
Those words, taken from the patent clause of the U.S. Constitution, appear atop every patent issued in the United States and they encapsulate the spirit of innovation that is the foundation of RTX.
The patents featured below represent a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of inventions and inventors from RTX and its legacy companies that have contributed to the aerospace and defense industry. We are driven to develop solutions to the world’s most complex problems, and we will continue to accelerate the application of science, technology, and engineering to do so.
Touch interfaces and controls for aviation displays
Patent No. US 9,128,594
This system allows a pilot’s multifunction display to switch between two formats based on user input. One format shows a full range of images of live data, while the other provides a scaled representation of the same data. This design enhances the pilot’s experience, offering a more flexible and efficient way to interpret and interact with flight data.
Fundamental gear system architecture
Patent No. US 8,756,908
The geared turbofan (GTF™) engine is a fundamental innovation in gas turbine engines that introduced a unique gear system for transferring power efficiently. It includes a fan drive gear system for a gas turbine engine, with a gear system that provides a speed reduction between a fan drive turbine and a fan, and a mount that flexibly supports portions of the gear system. A lubrication system supports the fan drive gear system and removes thermal energy produced by the gear system. The lubrication system includes a capacity for removing energy equal to less than about two percent of energy input into the gear system.
Lower shoulder for a pressurized suit
Patent No. US 3,564,611
During the race to the moon, RTX legacy businesses developed key technologies to power the spacecraft, calculate trajectories and support extravehicular walks, including suits that could be pressurized against the vacuum of space. This innovation created an articulated shoulder joint that allowed mobility while managing the pressures that astronauts needed to survive.
Pin diode driver circuit for radar system
Patent No. US 5,144,157
This innovation was specifically designed for radar systems that incorporated multiple transistors to control and manage the flow of signals by use of a timing delay circuit. In the context of radar systems, it ensures that the transmitted and received signals are accurately managed. This driver circuit aids in protecting the radar’s receiver components, especially those susceptible to damage from high-power RF signals, assuring the radar system’s longevity and efficiency.
Multiprocessor computer apparatus
Patent No. US 4,130,865
High-performance packet switching equipment pioneered by BBN was elemental to the Internet’s foundation. This apparatus enabled the operation of parallel processes to achieve higher data throughput than a single processor, eliminated the usage of processor hierarchy and a centralized switching system, and included a passive task register for requests and priority values. Any processor could read the register to obtain the highest priority value.
Metamaterial radome/isolator
Patent No. US 11,340,602
This invention focused on a radome isolator system made of metamaterials. A radome is a structure that encloses antennas to protect them from the environment while allowing electromagnetic signals to pass through. This particular design transmitted radiation beams at specific frequencies with minimal reflection and diffraction. The innovation ensured the radiation passes through the radome more efficiently with reduced interference.
Related news
Innovation channels
RTX BBN Technologies
RTX BBN Technologies has been providing advanced technology research and development for more than 70 years. From the UN General Assembly Hall, and the ARPANET, to the first @ email, and the first metro network protected by quantum cryptography, BBN has consistently transitioned advanced research to innovative solutions.
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RTX Technology Research Center
RTX Technology Research Center serves as our innovation hub – developing new technologies and solving the toughest challenges by facilitating the transfer of discoveries and capabilities across the company.
RTX Ventures
RTX Ventures is our venture capital division – investing in small, growing companies and the ideas that will transform aerospace and defense.
Submit an idea to RTX
The next great idea can come from anyone. That's why we keep an open communication line to everyone who may have that next innovation or solution.
We’re looking for top talent in engineering and technology.
Learn moreLicensing RTX patents
Our patents available for licensing range in scope from artificial intelligence and machine learning to additive manufacturing and infrared sensors.